Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Flames Raze Historic Old Clyde Hotel

Clyde - The Clyde Hotel, an irreplaceablepart of Contra Costa County's history, burned to the ground early today

A one-time mansion that fell into disrepair with the passing years, the three story, wooden structure came to an end as spectacular as its past.

Flames broke out at 1 A.M. and half the huge building was engulfed by the time firemen arrived. Residents for miles around could see the glow of the blaze.

Fifty firemen battled the fire until dawn.

An arson investigation was launched because three youths were found in the building earlier.

the well known landmark, just east (?) of Concord, was built during World War 1 to house Port Chicago shipyard workers. Its first floor was finished in solid redwood and decorated with electrical fixtures that were replicas of California Poppies.

The current owner, Mrs. Eunice VanWinkle of 880 Bay View Ave., Port Chicago, was unable to estimate the value of the structure, which cost $250,00 to erect in 1917.

The 176-room building had been abandoned and reopened from time to time. At one time it served as a government hospital, at another time it was a training center for wayward boys, at another it housed the Civilian Conservation Corps of the depression years.

It also served as a social center for town meetings and parties, and marathon dances were held in its spacious lobby, when the fad was in vogue.

Fire was 68 or 69. The firemen set up a water cannon mounted on a huge tripod and when they tried to use it muddy water and debrie would come out and pressure was lost. The water pipes in town were so old they couldnt handle it. These youths on drugs were inside before hand and set an old wire on fire with a candle and started the fire. This was a really cool haunted hotel. I grew up in there as a kid